Rhode's schedule was disrupted again, because the day after his friendly exchange with Sabertooth, he received a summons from the Council.
However, Rhode was not worried; he was merely an innocent Ten Wizard Saint who was provoked and attacked, already planning how to handle the aftermath when trouble arose.
The innocent Saint Ten arrived at the Fiore branch of the Council, where the evaluators' thought bodies were already waiting in the conference room.
Rhode entered alone, leaving Mira outside to sit and drink tea.
Rhode scanned the seated evaluators, whose faces weren't exactly familiar but he had impressions of them, only they seemed older now.
Without waiting for them to speak, Rhode opened directly: "Good morning, everyone. Before diving into the main topic, I have two questions to ask."
The evaluators exchanged glances; among those summoned, this might be the most relaxed one—though, hearing tales of someone who once fell asleep during a meeting in the past, perhaps not.
Org knew it wasn't just a tale; it was Makarov, coincidentally, another from Fairy Tail.
Although not used to being preempted, he was, after all, a Ten Wizard Saint, so the Council decided to give him some respect.
Chairman Gulan Domma said, "Please speak."
Rhode nodded and said, "First question, do thought bodies need to sit? I remember standing and sitting consume the same amount of Magic Power for thought bodies."
"..." The evaluators were momentarily dumbfounded; what kind of question was that? Sitting together during a meeting is obviously to appear solemn!
Did a Ten Wizard Saint specifically seize the opportunity to say this?
"This is just standard meeting protocol." Gulan Domma cleared his throat and waved to the Frog People at the door, "Bring another chair over."
The Frog People quickly moved a chair to the guest seating.
Rhode gracefully sat down.
This is much more comfortable; since it's a meeting and not a trial, everyone should be seated and chatting.
"The second question may be more pointed."
Gulan Domma said, "No problem, feel free to express any opinions."
Rhode said, "Hmm, after all these years, how come it's still you all in these positions? I noticed you're all quite old; is there no one younger worth cultivating and trusting?"
"..."
The evaluators were silent for a moment; a few hot-tempered ones slapped the table and stood up: "That's too much!"
"Even if you're a Saint Ten, you should respect our years of hard work!"
"Do you know how much has to be done in the ever-changing Magic Realm to maintain stability?"
Org could not understand Rhode's approach.
The colleagues had initially intended to question Rhode about causing trouble, but instead of fostering good relations with the evaluators, he provoked them—what was his plan?
Gulan Domma gestured for everyone to be quiet, then calmly stated:
"Age isn't important; we are all prepared to bleed for the Magic Realm with our last drop of blood.
"However, regarding talent reserves, the Council does indeed have shortcomings, and we are looking forward to young talents like Mr. Rhode and your wife joining the Council.
"As far as I know, there are some excellent young mages in Fairy Tail. If they are willing to contribute to the stability of the Magic Realm, we'd be very welcome."
Rhode appeared with a strange expression.
Without waiting for him to reply, the chairman continued,
"Let's move on to the main subject; yesterday in Kripples downtown, a Giant Dragon appeared in front of Sabertooth Guild, after which Sabertooth was destroyed.
"Witnesses claim that Mr. Rote and your wife Mirajane visited Sabertooth yesterday. Regarding this matter, I wonder if Mr. Rhode has anything to say?"
"Of course." Rhode placed two envelopes on the table, "This one is for the Council, detailing how Ten Wizard Saints went to Sabertooth for a friendly visit, subsequently engaged in a verbal conflict and were attacked.
"This one is intended for the King of Gioa Kingdom, describing how a duke was assassinated within the Legitimate Guild of Fiore Kingdom…"
"..." Why did it have to be a duke?
Speaking impartially, Sabertooth might even be justified for beating up the entire Fairy Tail, potentially being deemed Fairy Tail's fault.
Granted they had the capability.
Because Fairy Tail's record is really overwhelmingly notorious, the first reaction to anything like this is always that they're causing trouble.
But except for this Duke Rhode.
Because the Council's relationship with various countries on Ishujal Continent is quite unique.
In cases involving Black Magic and Dark Guilds, kingdoms almost unconditionally follow the Council's advice.
However, when not concerning these matters, the Council dares not casually interfere in any country's affairs.
Such as this potential diplomatic incident of 'duke assassination'.
Arbitrarily meddling in kingdom affairs, even with a small nation, could lead to the Council being boycotted by all the continent's nations, rendering future work impossible.
Of course, this doesn't mean nobles becoming mages can behave lawlessly in other countries.
Yet when the Council handles such matters, they must be fair, just, reasonable, and accurate, without allowing a single flaw.
This makes it troublesome.
Even if some evaluators are upset, they must hope Rhode didn't lie just now.
If he was full of lies, causing trouble, it would bring even more difficulties.
The chairman asked: "Can I look at the letter for the Council now?"
"Please do."
Rhode flicked lightly, causing the envelope to spin across the table, eventually stopping in front of the chairman.
The letter truthfully outlined yesterday's events, even detailing who caused which damage within the guild.
The chairman quickly finished reading Rhode's letter and passed it to other evaluators.
— Thought bodies can indeed hold things.
"If the contents are true, then Sabertooth should take primary responsibility," stated Gulan Domma.
"Next, we will summon Sabertooth's President Jerman and involved parties, and dispatch trace verification teams to confirm the scene. Is this acceptable?"
"Certainly." Rhode had no fear of them uncovering the truth because there wasn't a single lie in the letter.
The significant damage was caused by those two people's magic; at worst, Mr. Rhode might have to compensate for a few floor tiles.
Other evaluators had nothing to add; they hoped to prevent conflicts between the two guilds and disputes between the countries.
They would have to have a good talk with Sabertooth afterwards.
The chairman continued, "Through our preliminary investigation, despite the commotion, there were no casualties yesterday. Thus, it mostly falls under Sabertooth's provocation, not reaching the level of 'assassination.'..."
He dragged the tone, eyes fixed on the other letter in front of Rhode.
Rhode pushed the envelope forward, "Constanton Shargate is quite busy lately, so I haven't decided whether to bother him over such trivial matters.
"How about leaving it with the Council; you can decide whether to send it later."
The evaluators' expressions noticeably eased; this person initially seemed forceful and somewhat rude, even questioning their age and competence…
Yet he appears quite reasonable now.
Clearly at fault, he didn't relentlessly pursue it.
Moreover, when he was confirmed as a Ten Wizard Saint, everyone recognized his character.
Their initial irritation towards Rhode paradoxically fostered a bit of goodwill.
— Facing something like yesterday, it certainly wasn't his fault.